Bangladesh-US security dialogue begins in Washington

[Black_cats]

Bangladesh-US security dialogue begins in Washington​

This is the first time that a foreign secretary-level security dialogue is taking place between the two countries

US Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Denise Jenkins and Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen are leading their sides at the Eighth Security Dialogue that began in Washington DC on Wednesday UNB
UNB

April 6, 2022 2:39 PM

Delegations of Bangladesh and the United States have begun the "Eighth Security Dialogue" to discuss issues of mutual interests in a broader security sphere.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen is leading the Bangladesh delegation while Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Denise Jenkins is heading the US side at the dialogue that began at 9am (Washington DC time) on Wednesday.

It will continue till 4pm (Washington DC time).
This is the first time that a foreign secretary-level security dialogue is taking place between the two countries instead of a DG-level.

During US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland's recent Bangladesh visit, the US shared a draft on the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) which is seen as a "gateway" to do more on the security front.

"We're very confident that we'll be able to get the issue settled so that we can do more on the security side together," she told reporters during a joint media briefing in Dhaka.

The US is pushing to conclude certain foundational defence agreements – GSOMIA and Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which are "essential" to enabling a closer defence relationship, expanding opportunities for defence trade, information sharing, and military-to-military cooperation between two countries.

Bangladesh says it is still examining the proposals.

For 50 years, the US and Bangladesh have enjoyed cordial diplomatic ties and partnered on a wide range of security issues, including border security, maritime security, counterterrorism, peacekeeping, defence trade, and defence institution building, according to the US Department of State.

The US engages Bangladesh through several bilateral and multilateral fora and the two governments continue to work together to advance a shared vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific.

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Also Read - It will take time for US sanctions on RAB to be lifted, says Momen

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Since 2015, the US has provided $66.9 million in foreign military financing (FMF) and $7.29 million in international military education and training (IMET) assistance to Bangladesh.

FMF assistance includes $10 million in bilateral programming and $56.9 million in Bay of Bengal Initiative Regional FMF.

The US Department of State's Bay of Bengal Initiative, through support provided via FMF, seeks to enhance the capacity of civilian and military actors to detect illicit activity within their borders and in the region.

Also, it aims to build networks and habits of cooperation to enable countries to share information, develop their capacity to respond promptly to illicit activity, and support our partners in enabling a rules-based order in the Indian Ocean.

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www.dhakatribune.com

 

[SaadH]

Out of SAARC countries India and BD and other Indian satellites firmly in US,

Pak, SL and AFG are out...

Will be interesting how China sees BD two timing them...

 

[Bilal9]

Out of SAARC countries India and BD and other Indian satellites firmly in US,

Pak, SL and AFG are out...

Will be interesting how China sees BD two timing them...

It's called diplomacy. The Chinese understand it very well, and it is between Bangladesh and China.

China does not need others to interpret it for them.

Your opinion is welcome however.

 

[SaadH]

It's called diplomacy. The Chinese understand it very well, and it is between Bangladesh and China.

China does not need others to interpret it for them.

Your opinion is welcome however.

Problem is Amreeka bahadur doesn't deal with mutually inclusive diplomacy, it's either them or they bomb you to stone age.

Good luck being America's friend.

 

[Black_cats]

US keen to enhance security cooperation with Bangladesh​

BANGLADESH​

TBS Report
07 April, 2022, 08:35 am
Last modified: 07 April, 2022, 08:42 am

Foreign Secretary Masud stated that Bangladesh deeply values its partnership with the US

Picture: Courtesy

The US is keen to enhance security cooperation with Bangladesh, the Biden administration said on the 8th round of the US-Bangladesh Security Dialogue held in Washington DC on Wednesday (6 April) at the US Department of State.

Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen and US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Ambassador Bonnie Denise Jenkins led respective delegations, said a press release.

Bangladesh was also represented by the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman, SGP, psc, Secretary of Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Md Kamrul Hasan, NDC, Secretary of Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Md Golam Sarwar; and representatives from Prime Minister's Office, Public Security Division, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Ministry of Defence, Bangladesh Police, Border Guard Bangladesh and Bangladesh Coast Guard. US Side was represented by , among others, Assistant Secretary Jessica Lewis and Deputy Assistant Secretary Kelley Keiderling.

Foreign Secretary Masud and General Waker-Uz-Zaman also held a separate meeting with Under Secretary.

In his opening remarks, Foreign Secretary Masud stated that Bangladesh deeply values its partnership with the US.

The US delegation appreciated strong ties with Bangladesh, which is well reflected in the regular dialogues between two sides, as they opined. The day-long meeting covered areas like UN Peacekeeping, Bangladesh US Security Cooperation including cooperation in military training, maritime security, proposed defence agreements, defence purchase and capacity development etc, regional issues like Rohingya, Indo-Pacific, and counterterrorism and civilian security cooperation.

Two sides had constructive discussions on defence agreements like GSOMIA and ACSA. The US side praised Bangladesh's successes and leadership in UN Peacekeeping Operations. They also expressed willingness to assist Bangladesh in the modernisation and institutional development of its armed forces, the press release added.

On Rohingya issue, the US highly praised Bangladesh's role, and gave "a big thank you"; and committed to continue all possible support.

Bangladesh appreciated the determination by the US of the genocide against Rohingyas, and urged the US side to take follow up measures. On Indo-Pacific Strategy, fruitful discussion took place, and Bangladesh expressed support to inclusive socio-economic development in the Indo-Pacific region.

Bangladesh side raised deep concern regarding the sanctions on RAB and individuals, and urged US side to reconsider the decision. Detailed discussion took place on this, during which Bangladesh side highlighted RAB's pivotal role in Bangladesh's fight against terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crimes; and also elaborated on how the sanctions on RAB is unjustified as the personnel do not enjoy any impunity. two sides agreed to continue discussion.

In conclusion, the US delegation observed that, after 50 years of independence, Bangladesh has merged as a responsible country and taking part in resolving global crises and problems.

Two sides agreed to continue robust cooperation in counterterrorism and transnational crimes. The US also assured about its continued support in building law enforcement and prosecutorial capacity as well as in countering violent extremism.

They also discussed on cooperation in aviation safety, with the view to early resumption of Dhaka New York Direct flight. Bangladesh appreciated the robust support received from the US in terms of Covid-19 vaccines.

The parties agreed to maintain regular contact and to continue the discussion on various issues. The next Security Dialogue would be held next year in Dhaka.

US keen to enhance security cooperation with Bangladesh

Foreign Secretary Masud stated that Bangladesh deeply values its partnership with the US

www.tbsnews.net

 

[Bilal9]

I hope defence purchase discussions result in something concrete, i.e. especially for AF side. And not just a bunch of attack helis which aren't even AF assets to begin with....

 

[Wergeland]

Being friend with US is OK but it is in BD interest to have good relationship with China and even Pakistan

 

[KAL-EL]

I agree with the security dialogue that will happen in Washington

Welcome to the United States foreign secretary

 

[Black_cats]

Published on 11:48 AM, April 07, 2022

US offers equipment, training for Bangladesh’s armed forces​

USA offered equipment and training for Bangladesh armed forces during the 8th Security Dialogue in Washington on April 6, 2022. Photo: Collected

Star Digital Report

USA wants to assist Bangladesh in modernisation and institutional development of the latter's armed forces by providing defence equipment and training.

The US emphasised on signing two defence deals – GSOMIA and ACSA – that are foundational agreements for defence trade and cooperation.

"Two sides had constructive discussions on defence agreements like GSOMIA and ACSA," said a statement of Bangladesh Embassy in Washington today.

These were discussed in detail at the 8th Security Dialogue held at the State Department in Washington.

The dialogue continued for seven hours, starting at 9:00am (Washington time) on April 6.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Ambassador Bonnie Denise Jenkins led respective delegations.

The Bangladesh side raised grave concerns regarding the sanctions on Rab and individuals, and urged US side to reconsider the decision.

During detailed discussion on this, the Bangladesh side highlighted Rab's pivotal role in Bangladesh's fight against terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crimes.

The two sides agreed to continue discussion over the matter.

The delegations also agreed to continue robust cooperation in counterterrorism and transnational crimes.

The US assured its continued support in development of law enforcement and prosecutorial capacity as well as in countering violent extremism.

The US delegation observed that after 50 years of the independence, Bangladesh has emerged as a responsible country and is taking part in resolving global crises and problems.

The US side praised Bangladesh's successes and leadership in UN Peacekeeping Operations.
On Rohingya issue, the US highly praised Bangladesh's role, and gave a "big thank you", and committed to continue all possible support.

Bangladesh appreciated the US recognition of genocide against Rohingyas, and urged the US side to take follow up measures.

The day-long meeting covered areas like UN Peacekeeping, Bangladesh-US Security Cooperation including cooperation in military training, maritime security, proposed defence agreements, defence purchase and capacity development etc, regional issues like Rohingya, Indo-Pacific, and counterterrorism and civilian security cooperation.

Two sides also discussed on cooperation in aviation safety, with the view to early resumption of Dhaka-New York direct flight.
Bangladesh appreciated the robust support received from the US in terms of Covid-19 vaccines.

Two sides agreed to maintain regular contact and to continue the discussion on various issues. The next Security Dialogue would be held next year in Dhaka.

Bangladesh was also represented by the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman, SGP, psc; Secretary of Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Md Kamrul Hasan, NDC; Secretary of Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Md Golam Sarwar; and representatives from Prime Minister's Office, Public Security Division, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Ministry of Defence, Bangladesh Police, Border Guard Bangladesh and Bangladesh Coast Guard.

US Side was represented by, among others, Assistant Secretary Jessica Lewis and Deputy Assistant Secretary Kelley Keiderling.

Foreign Secretary Masud and General Waker-Uz-Zaman also held a separate meeting with the Under Secretary.

US offers equipment, training for Bangladesh’s armed forces

USA wants to assist Bangladesh in modernisation and institutional development of the latter’s armed forces by providing defence equipment and training.

www.thedailystar.net

 

[UKBengali]

Out of SAARC countries India and BD and other Indian satellites firmly in US,

Pak, SL and AFG are out...

Will be interesting how China sees BD two timing them...

Nope, BD is friendly with both China and the USA.

Most BD weapons systems are actually Chinese and it has minimal US equipment.

Just recently BD has said it will not buy major US weapon systems.

 

[Destranator]

I hope defence purchase discussions result in something concrete, i.e. especially for AF side. And not just a bunch of attack helis which aren't even AF assets to begin with....

Going by how they are depriving Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, etc. of F-16 upgrades, it is best not to get any strategic hardware from them. Small arms, logistical equipment, infantry gear, etc are fine.